Jennings Hospice

Hospice is not a place but is high-quality care that enables patients and families to focus on living as fully as possible despite a life-limiting illness. Palliative care brings this holistic model of care to people earlier in the course of a serious illness. November is National Hospice and Palliative Care Month and hospice and palliative care programs across the country are reaching out to help people understand all that hospice and palliative care offer.

Jennings Hospice

In recent months, a number of notable Americans have passed away. They include Senator John McCain, the queen of soul Aretha Franklin, and former first lady Barbara Bush. In many media reports, they were described as having “given up” on curative care late in their lives. Ms. Franklin opted for hospice care; Mrs. Bush received what was described as “comfort care.”

“Hospice and palliative care are not just for individuals who are near death, and it’s not about giving up,” said Judi Makan, Executive Director for Jennings Hospice. “Hospice is very person-centered to provide the support, hope and compassion to someone who is facing illness. Jennings Hospice staff supports individuals and their families in making choices about their care as well celebrating life.”

Every year, nearly 1.5 million Medicare beneficiaries receive care from hospices in this country, reports NHPCO. Hospice and palliative care programs provide pain management, symptom control, psychosocial support, and spiritual care to patients and their family caregivers when a cure is not possible. Jennings Hospice services are tailored to each individual and family, such as medical and nursing care, emotional care, pain management, spiritual guidance and bereavement care.

Throughout the month of November, Jennings Hospice be joining organizations across the nation hosting activities that will help the community understand how important hospice and palliative care can be.

More information about hospice, palliative care, and advance care planning is available from Jennings Hospice or from NHPCO’s CaringInfo.org.

Jennings is currently seeking volunteers to support individuals receiving support through Jennings Hospice. Hospice volunteers, as members of the hospice interdisciplinary team, provide specialized care and compassion with a focus on comfort, supportive care and enhancing quality of life.

Jennings currently has volunteer positions available. If you are interested in volunteering with Jennings Hospice, please contact Laura Resecker, Volunteer Coordinator, at (216) 581-2900.

Patient Care Volunteer

This volunteer position is for a licensed STNA or nurse who would like to volunteer their time to provide companionship and basic nursing care to an individual. Some tasks include companionship for both family members and individuals utilizing hospice, respite for family members, transportation, vigil support, and basic nursing care. This position is meant to be a calming presence for families, and a person in this position must be willing to sit and listen with family members and patients.

Companion/Vigil Volunteer

This position is for an unlicensed individual who would like to volunteer their time to only provide companionship to an individual and their family members. An individual desiring this position would need to be a calming presence for family members, and be willing to sit and listen with family members and patients. A vigil volunteer would sit with a patient when death was imminent, and give respite to families so they knew their loved one was not alone.

Bereavement Volunteer

This position is for an individual who would like to assist families after their loved ones have passed on. An individual in this position would assist low-risk families by making phone calls and helping with bereavement mailings. They also may assist with different support groups that the bereavement coordinator would lead.

Administrative Volunteer

This position is for an individual who would like to help in the hospice offices. Tasks include assembling paperwork, bulk mailings, and some general clerical work such as writing thank you notes, record keeping, typing, and copying. An administrative volunteer may also assist with special events that the hospice is hosting.

It’s National Healthcare Decisions Week #NHDD, have you had a conversation with the people you love?
Jennings and Jennings Hospice, along with other national, state and community organizations, are taking part in an effort to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making—an effort that has culminated in the formal designation [more…]

Jennings Hospice, which received its accreditation late this summer, now formally supports individuals with palliative care and hospice services. “We are proud to add Jennings Hospice to our continuum of services,” said Allison Q. Salopeck, President and CEO at Jennings. “Jennings has excelled in supporting individuals’ end of life journey for nearly 75 years with dignity and respect. Our accreditation is one way to demonstrate our commitment [more…]